Chapter 134: Seeing Zhao Li Again
Chapter 134: Chapter 134: Seeing Zhao Li Again
A boundless mountain range appeared before him, resembling a long, slumbering dragon from a distance. Clouds and mist coiled around the mountains’ waists, while nine magnificent peaks pierced the heavens.
The peaks were covered in snow year-round, while the mountainsides were like spring in every season. Rosy light shone upon them, and the air was thick with purple qi.
This was Purple Extreme Mountain!
The Purple Extreme Sect, whose might was renowned throughout the region, was located here.
If the magnificent scenery Lin Changheng had seen along his journey was still that of the mortal world, something to be admired, then this mountain was a scene of the Immortal Dao that filled one’s heart with yearning!
It was even grander than he had imagined.
His usually well-behaved and docile Cyan Flood Dragon Horse dared not advance, so Lin Changheng had to dismount and lead it by the reins. Only then were its hooves willing to move.
The man and his horse continued along the road, and before long, they came upon an inn. It was a place to board horses and carriages, as well as a spot to rest and stay for a while.
It was run by the Purple Extreme Sect.
The person who received him had a good attitude, unlike the cliché from novels where even the servants of an Upper Sect would be arrogant and overbearing.
Lin Changheng briefly explained his purpose and received a Cyan Jade Token in return, which would serve as a voucher to retrieve his horse later.
The token also had a map to the Mountain Gate etched onto it, which he could use to ascend the mountain. He was warned not to stray from the path, lest he run into danger.
Lin Changheng immediately agreed and expressed his thanks.
After checking the map and seeing that the Mountain Gate was not far, he decided to stay at the inn.
It was still two days until Mo Zhaoli’s Foundation Establishment celebration. As an outsider, Lin Changheng couldn’t stay within the sect for long anyway. It was better to stay here for two days and arrive right on time.
This was a small-scale celebration, attended by Mo Zhaoli’s martial family, friends, and relatives, so she was free to invite guests as she pleased.
The sect’s official promotion ceremony, however, was a different matter. It was far more solemn and grand. Not only were outsiders forbidden, but even from her own martial family, only her master and eldest martial sister—both Foundation Establishment Cultivators—were permitted to attend.
...
Two days passed in a flash. Lin Changheng took out a Magical Artifact and flew on it.
After reaching the Late Stage of Qi Cultivation, one could fly short distances on their own Magical Artifact.
However, the speed was not fast, and it was inefficient in its use of Magical Power.
It couldn’t compare to specialized flying artifacts like a Dharma Ship, which saved time and energy, and the difference in speed was immense.
But the mountain path was treacherous, winding, and steep. Traversing it on foot would have been a headache, so it was better to fly.
Following the map, Lin Changheng soon crossed two peaks and arrived at a conspicuous mountain gate.
A hundred-zhang-tall white jade archway stood there, inscribed with the four gilded words: PURPLE EXTREME RIGHTEOUS DAO. The brushstrokes were sharp, faintly imbued with a boundless power!
Gazing at it from a distance, Lin Changheng felt his own insignificance.
On either side of the archway, twelve stone pillars carved with coiling dragons were arranged according to the number of Heavenly Stems. Lin Changheng sensed the fluctuation of an Array from them and guessed that these were the Array Bases for the Sect Protection Array.
Based on his recent studies of the dao of Arrays, this had to be at least a Tier Three Grand Array!
From the Mountain Gate, thirty-six thousand cyan jade steps snaked upward toward the peak. What lay beyond was hidden in the clouds, indistinct and impossible to see.
"Who goes there?"
The moment he drew near, a Mountain Guard Disciple appeared, dressed in a standard-issue purple robe. With a serious expression, the disciple shouted for him to halt.
Lin Changheng stopped at the sound of his voice, smiled, and stated his purpose, presenting a token.
"Here for the Foundation Establishment celebration?"
The Mountain Guard Disciple’s expression changed instantly. His attitude warmed considerably, and a smile appeared on his face as he asked Lin Changheng to wait for a moment.
Then, Lin Changheng saw one of the disciples take the token, board a boat-shaped Magical Artifact, and soar into the sky toward the inner sect.
’Is that a Dharma Ship?’
Lin Changheng’s eyes burned with envy.
’That disciple’s Cultivation is only at the Middle Stage of Qi Cultivation, yet he has a Magical Artifact like that? Sect Disciples truly are wealthy.’
’Then again,’ he thought, ’it might be a public artifact for temporary use, not his personal property.’
The thought put him somewhat at ease.
After about the time it takes for two incense sticks to burn, a streak of Escape Light shot out from the sect. It pierced through the clouds with a thunderous roar, arriving like a Divine Arrow before landing at the Mountain Gate.
The light dissipated, revealing a Female Cultivator in a moon-white dress.
A faint, ethereal Spiritual Mist swirled around her, making it seem as if she were walking on clouds. A subtle Foundation Establishment Spiritual Pressure emanated from her.
Though she had it restrained, it was still startling.
It was none other than Mo Zhaoli!
Her features were unchanged, yet she seemed even more beautiful. With willow-leaf brows, almond-shaped eyes, and a gentleness like an orchid, her entire temperament was completely different. Her bearing was composed, her grace was natural, and she was like a Female Immortal who had descended to the mortal realm.
"Junior Martial Uncle Mo."
All the Mountain Guard Disciples bowed respectfully.
"Mm."
After that soft acknowledgment, Mo Zhaoli’s gaze swept past the disciples and fell entirely upon the smiling, green-robed Male Cultivator outside the Mountain Gate.
At the same time, joy lit up her eyes. "Brother Lin."
"Congratulations, Elder Mo."
Lin Changheng cupped his hands and said with a smile, but the slightly teasing tone in his voice elicited a soft rebuke from Mo Zhaoli.
"Brother Lin, you’re embarrassing Li’Er."
Before Lin Changheng could even speak, a light flashed from Mo Zhaoli’s hand. His body was lifted by the wind and drawn to her side. Then, with a flare of her Escape Light, she swept him up and flew toward the inner sect.
’So this is a Foundation Establishment Cultivator?’
The scene had unfolded as fast as a clap of thunder. Lin Changheng wasn’t frightened, merely filled with aspiration.
"I have always remembered the help you gave me, Brother Lin, and have never dared to forget it. Please, don’t call me ’Elder’ again."
Within the Escape Light, Mo Zhaoli looked at Lin Changheng with a sincere expression.
In the Cultivation Realm, strength was paramount. Aside from immediate family, masters, and fellow sect members, titles were almost always determined by one’s Cultivation.
Those with the same level of Cultivation would address each other as peers, using terms like "Fellow Daoist" or "Fairy."
When there was a difference of a major Realm, titles changed. Just as those Mountain Guard Disciples called the newly-advanced Mo Zhaoli "Junior Martial Uncle Mo," Lin Changheng was also expected to change his form of address to "Elder Mo."
But Mo Zhaoli clearly did not want to be addressed that way and had made a point of saying so.
"Since you don’t wish for it, I won’t call you that."
Lin Changheng smiled, readily agreeing.
Mo Zhaoli’s face lit up with a smile, clearly pleased. Then she heard Lin Changheng muse, "But that form of address isn’t appropriate in front of others. It could lead to ridicule and attract unwanted attention. When others are present, how about I call you ’Fellow Daoist Mo’?"
He was asking for her opinion.
"No."
Mo Zhaoli refused, then paused before a clever idea came to her and she smiled. "Just call me ’Junior Sister Mo.’ Brother Lin is my grandfather’s disciple, and I can be considered one of his disciples as well. It’s perfectly fine for us to address each other as senior brother and junior sister. That isn’t restricted by our Cultivation levels."
"Alright. Your idea is more appropriate, Li’Er."
Lin Changheng could accept that.
He had to be careful. The Purple Extreme Sect was a Core Formation Sect, a place where geniuses gathered. As a Foundation Establishment Fairy with both high Cultivation and great beauty, Mo Zhaoli was bound to have countless admirers and suitors. If he called her "Li’Er" in front of others and word got out, wouldn’t he just be asking for trouble?